TLDR Review: ACiQ 50 Gallon Hybrid Hot Water Heater
Pros
- •Uses Heat Pump technology that drastically cuts power consumption to about 6000 watts in Heat Pump Only Mode compared to traditional 4000 watts, delivering excellent energy efficiency.
- •Provides enough hot water for a typical household of four without shortages, even if heating times are a bit longer.
- •Compatible with ofrid power systems, making it a solid choice for fully off-grid households.
- •The unit includes a Demand Response (DR) feature that helps balance energy use during peak demand, potentially lowering energy bills and offering utility incentives.
- •Easo-read display with large numbers for current water temperature.
- •Reliable performance reported with no issues after sustained use.
- •The tank’s heaviness and sturdiness suggest good durability over time.
- •Offers excellent value for the price when considering energy savings and features.
Cons
- •The unit is extremely heavy and toeavy, requiring multiple strong people to move it and making installation physically challenging.
- •Water supply connections and the temperature/pressure relief valve placement deviate significantly from conventional heaters, often requiring wall modifications and pipe relocations.
- •A new condensate line must be drilled through a wall to the outside for compressor operation, adding installation complexity.
- •Control board has complex, unclear symbols and an unintuitive interface, with insufficient explanations in the manual, leading to confusion during setup and operation.
- •The unit has been reported to shut off unexpectedly and restart without warning, which might be concerning for reliability.
- •Tech support is reportedly unresponsive and lacks detailed knowledge about this product, making troubleshooting difficult.
- •Not recommended as a DIY project, even for experienced contractors, due to complicated installation and setup requirements.
Bottom Line
The ACiQ Electric Residential Hybrid Hot Water Heater 50 Gallon tank is a highly energy-efficient and eco-friendly option for those wanting to save on electricity and possibly benefit from utility programs. However, its heavy weight, non-standard plumbing layout, and complex controls mean installation is best left to professionals. Also, limited tech support and occasional unexpected shutoffs could be frustrating if you want a straightforward, worry-free water heater. If ease of installation and strong customer support are priorities, you might want to explore other hybrid water heaters as well, but if efficiency and off-grid compatibility top your list, this model is definitely worth considering.
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